Author: Rhys Gregory

Time tracking has become an essential aspect of productivity management for individuals and businesses alike. Whether you’re a freelancer, a small business owner, or part of a large corporation, keeping tabs on how you spend your time is crucial for maximizing efficiency and ensuring accurate billing. However, the traditional methods of time tracking, such as manual timesheets or clunky software, can often add more hassle than convenience. Fortunately, there are now several hassle-free solutions available that streamline the process and make time tracking a breeze. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore six of these solutions, each offering unique features to…

Councillor Keith Evans has been elected as Chairman of Ceredigion County Council for 2024-2025 during an Annual General Meeting held on Friday 17 May 2024. This brings Councillor Maldwyn Lewis’ time as Chairman for 2023-2024 to an end, where he has steered the Council through a very challenging period with the rise in cost of living and budget cuts. The new Chairman, Councillor Keith Evans, was elected as Councillor for Ceredigion District Council in 1987 and then in the period of Local Government reorganisation, was elected to Llandysul South Ward, Ceredigion County Council, in 1996. Over a period of nearly…

Cardiff-based Freshwater is the first communications consultancy in Wales to join the Mindful Business Charter. As the nation marks Mental Health Awareness Week (13 – 19 May), the communications agency has pledged its commitment to the charter, which aims to identify and eradicate stress in the workplace. The charter, which was launched by Barclays and law firms Pinsent Masons and Addleshaw Goddard in October 2018, encourages organisations around the world to join in a collective commitment to address avoidable stresses in working practices and promote healthier and more effective ways of working. It provides organisations and individuals with the framework…

Cardiff University will receive a share of £99m in funding to lead a new compound semiconductor manufacturing hub. The hub aims to capitalise on the huge opportunity of compound semiconductor manufacturing identified in the UK’s national semiconductor strategy. The researchers will develop energy-efficient opto-electronics for use in key emerging technologies such as quantum, the 6G network, sensors for autonomous vehicles, the internet of things and satellite communications. A key driver for the hub will be to expand the environmental benefits of compound semiconductors, by carrying out their research in an environmentally friendly way, developing new manufacturing processes and creating new…

As the May half-term approaches, many are looking for fun adventures for all the family. The Dramatic Heart of Wales, Neath Port Talbot, offers everything from family-friendly music festivals to nature adventures ¾ the busy calendar of events promises an action-packed half-term. Family Festivals  Kicking off the half-term festivities is the In It Together Festival, promising three days of music and entertainment from Friday, May 24th to Sunday, May 26th at Old Park Farm in Margam. With over 150 artists, including headliners Rag’n’Bone Man, Sugababes, and Dizzee Rascal, the festival expects to draw over 50,000 attendees. Offering over 100 free family activities, including a…

It’s three years since the first brand new station opened under Transport for Wales and since then it has gone from strength to strength, with almost 30,000 using it in 2023/24. Bow Street Transport Interchange was completed in 2021 as the result of more than a decade of work and campaigning by local groups in Ceredigion. During 2021/22 it saw 12,563 passenger journeys, which grew to 23,156 the following year, helped of course by the reduction of Covid-19 restrictions. And in the most recent data, it has been confirmed more than 29,000 used the station in 2023/24, an average of…

With her 100th birthday looming, Margaret Rees, a resident of Ty Cwm Ogwr in the Ogmore Valley, reflects on her colourful past and treasured memories of serving as a cook in World War II. In 1940, at just 16 years old, Margaret fled her home in Llangynwyd, Maesteg, and joined the army by adding a couple of years to her age, in a bid to avoid working at the local arsenal factory, which she claimed could tint workers’ hair to yellow. Following initial training, teenage Margaret became a cook in the RAF’s Catering Corps, stationed at various air bases.  However,…

COUNCILLOR Steve Hunt has vowed to continue campaigning for increased funding for Welsh councils after being re-appointed as Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council for a third year. Cllr Hunt and Deputy Leader Cllr Alun Llewelyn were re-appointed to their roles at the council’s Annual General Meeting on Wednesday, May 15th, 2024, where a number of other appointments and administrative measures were progressed. On his re-appointment, Cllr Hunt told the AGM at Port Talbot’s Civic Centre: “After two extremely challenging budgets, my focus this year will be on maintaining a stable council and preparing for an even more difficult budget…

embroke Leisure Centre will play host to a free disability sports and physical event later this month with lots of sports and activities to try. The insport series, in partnership with Disability Sport Wales, Sport Pembrokeshire and Pembrokeshire Leisure is an inclusive sport and physical activity event. It offers opportunities for disabled young people (ages 5 years+) and adults across Pembrokeshire and friends and family are welcome. On offer to try are: boxing, boccia, swimming (on a separate first come first serve booking basis), football, wheelchair rugby, target shooting, adaptive bikes, cricket, golf, multisport, and more.  The event takes place…

RCT Council has provided an update on the Tylorstown Landslip remediation scheme, with Phase Four work ongoing. Current activity includes earthworks, transporting the remaining tip material to a receptor site, building infrastructure at receptor areas, and work within an extended drainage programme. The landslip on the Llanwonno hillside in February 2020 was triggered by the unprecedented rainfall in Storm Dennis. It blocked the river valley, broke a foul sewer, covered a water main with several metres of debris, and covered a shared footpath. A four-phase remediation plan has been implemented – and included emergency clearance work in the weeks that…